Simpsons studies

[soxfan[$]]

Siena Heights University (in Adrian, Michigan) will be offering a philosophy course based on the Simpsons:

http://fyi.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/TV/1....ap/index.html

Ailsa
not sure whether she's happy or dismayed

[kuuleimomi]

*sigh* Americans!

Finn :fire:

[kurt_messick]

There is a book out now, entitled The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family. It is actually pretty good.

There was also an article in the magazine Christianity Today, one of the more prominent ecumenical journals, highlighting Ned Flanders as America's most prominent Christian.

[Joubert[$]]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...all that said, the show remains one of television's better written comedies, even after a decade. Elements of Gleason, Roseanne and other working class comedies as well as the inevitable skewering of all pop culture icons combine to make me laugh out loud at least once.

There are times when I'm caught up with the news that I'll be in the gym after work and flip the channel to watch Homer & Co. I'll also pop it on during the rare Sunday evening when I'm actually prepping for the week ahead and invariably find myself watching the show instead of working.

Sue me.

Thank goodness! I was worried that the graduation rates of athletes were taking a dangerous trend downwards... but this class should help stop that and continue to fill their empty heads with even more air and their hands with diplomas.

Now put that helmet on and fight for the ball, Johnny!

[CurtisEdmonds]

Anyone see tonight's episode? Very spiritual, although I could have done without the extraneous Richard Gere bit. And I didn't know Buddhists celebrated Christmas.

[Joubert[$]]

Yup, Gere's bit was pretty lame. I thought the pony was hilarious. Clip-clop indeed.

[CurtisEdmonds]

But they did the whole Lisa-gets-a-pony thing already. *shrug*

The funniest show in that lineup is "Malcolm"; had maybe the funniest thing on the last show I've seen on TV in years. Cloris Leachman was playing the old grandmother; she had made a large batch of Rice Krispie treats "for the carolers". And then the carolers did show up, and she went out on the front porch... and started hurling the Rice Krispie treats at the carolers, screaming at them.... very very funny stuff.

[Joubert[$]]

Sure, they may have done it already, but how cool is it that The Simpsons are referencing themselves?

I like Malcolm as well, even if Kalynda thinks our three boys are tougher than those three. I thought Leachman was wonderful and was pleasantly surprised that Boomer didn't shove a holiday lesson down everyone's throat. Every time the sentimental journey started, out would come the treats or the smack in the head or something. Francis' character is also nicely rounding out.

I've threatened my children twice today just like Kazawhosis, oh hell, Malcolm's mom, did. The ending scenes there were lovely - just the right touch of real life parenting.

My hope for a real life celebrity death match: Dr. and Claire Huxtable against the Malcolm In The Middle parents.